Copyright berkshireeagle
A storm system and cold front powered by a strong jet stream are expected to inflict potentially damaging winds across Berkshire County by daybreak on Thursday, A high wind warning was issued by the National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., effective from 7 p.m. Wednesday until 8 a.m. Thursday for Western Massachusetts, eastern New York and Southern Vermont. West winds from 15 to 25 mph could gust up to 50 or even 60 mph at the height of the storms, forecasters stated. “Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines,” according to the warning. “Scattered-to-widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.” The strongest winds are likely as showers and scattered thunderstorms track across the region during a two- to four-hour period early Thursday, tapering off just in time for the morning commute to work and school. “Roads may be blocked in wooded areas and unsecured items such as trash or recycling bins, could become projectiles that may damage property,” Accuweather.com meteorologist Alex Sosnowski cautioned. The storms will be propelled by an unusually powerful, fast-moving jet stream, NewsChannel 13 and WAMC Northeast Public Radio meteorologist Paul Caiano said. A coating of snow may whiten the landscape before daybreak Thursday near the summit of Mount Greylock and other high-elevation areas. Temperatures will remain below normal during the day, followed by the coldest night of the season so far, with lows dipping to 25 early Friday morning. Next week will feel more like late November or early December with daytime highs remaining below 45 on Monday and Tuesday. Snowflakes may fly at night during that period, but no accumulations are expected. The cold snap is forecast to continue until at least Nov. 15, according to the Climate Prediction Center’s extended outlook before temperatures recover to near normal to start the second half of the month. Five-day forecast Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 3 a.m., predawn winds gusting as high as 50 mph. Then, partly sunny, high in the mid-40s, with northwest winds gusting as high as 35 mph. Partly cloudy at night, low around 25, winds becoming calm. Friday: Mostly cloudy, near 50. Rain at night, low around 40. Saturday: A 30 percent chance of rain before midday, then partly sunny, mid-50s. Mostly cloudy after dark, low around 35, chance of late-night rain. Sunday: Rain likely, mainly in the afternoon and night, high in the low-50s, nighttime low around 30. Monday: Partly cloudy, chance of light early morning snow, high near 40. Source: National Weather Service forecast for Berkshire County.
